Creamy Old-Fashioned Homemade Banana Pudding Recipe for All

My grandma’s old-fashioned homemade banana pudding always sparked joy around our kitchen table.

Memories of creamy layers and sweet comfort flood back with each spoonful.

Soft vanilla wafers nestled between silky custard create a nostalgic dessert that feels like a warm hug.

Ripe bananas add natural sweetness and delightful texture to this classic treat.

Southern kitchens know the magic of simple, heartwarming recipes passed down through generations.

Smooth, rich, and utterly irresistible, this pudding connects us to cherished culinary traditions.

Let’s whip up a batch that’ll make everyone at the table smile with pure delight.

Banana Pudding That’s Old Fashioned In The Best Way

• Quick and Easy Preparation: This recipe requires basic ingredients and simple cooking techniques, making it perfect for home cooks of all skill levels. Minimal kitchen expertise needed to create a delicious dessert.
• Nostalgic Comfort Food: Delivers a classic southern-style dessert that brings back warm memories of family gatherings and childhood treats. Layers of creamy pudding, fresh bananas, and crispy wafers create a perfect balance of textures and flavors.
• Make-Ahead Convenience: Ideal for advance preparation, this dessert can be assembled hours or even a day before serving. Chilling time allows flavors to meld together, making party planning and meal prep a breeze.
• Budget-Friendly Treat: Uses affordable, readily available ingredients like milk, eggs, sugar, and vanilla wafers. An economical dessert that doesn't compromise on taste or comfort, perfect for feeding a crowd without breaking the bank.

Custard and Bananas for Classic Banana Pudding

• Sugar, Flour, Salt: Essential dry ingredients for creating the pudding's foundational flavor and thickening structure. Salt helps balance the sweetness and enhances overall taste.
• Milk: Provides creamy base and smooth texture for the pudding. Whole milk recommended for richer consistency.

• Eggs: Creates rich, silky custard texture and helps thicken the pudding. Fresh eggs at room temperature work best.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet flavor depth to the pudding. Pure vanilla extract provides the most authentic taste.

• Vanilla Wafers, Bananas: Classic combination for old-fashioned banana pudding. Ripe but firm bananas work perfectly. Wafers provide delightful crunch and traditional texture. Crisp wafers recommended for best results.

Old-Fashioned Homemade Banana Pudding – Directions for Making

Step 1: Prepare Pudding Base

In a saucepan, combine sugar, flour, and salt.

Whisk these dry ingredients until well blended.

Slowly pour in milk and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly.

Continue cooking until the mixture transforms into a thick, bubbly consistency.

Lower the heat and simmer for an additional two minutes.

Step 2: Temper the Eggs

Remove the pudding from heat.

In a separate bowl, whisk eggs thoroughly.

Carefully add a small amount of the hot pudding mixture to the eggs, whisking vigorously to prevent scrambling.

Slowly pour the tempered egg mixture back into the pudding pan and return to heat.

Step 3: Finish Pudding Mixture

Cook the combined mixture until it reaches a gentle boil.

Continue cooking for about two minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

Let the pudding cool for approximately 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent skin formation.

Step 4: Create Layered Pudding

Choose an ungreased 8-inch square baking dish.

• Vanilla wafers
• Banana slices
• Pudding mixture

Repeat the layering process, ensuring the final layer is pudding.

Step 5: Chill and Set

Cover the dish completely with plastic wrap.

Refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, though overnight is ideal for maximum flavor development.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Before serving, crush remaining wafers into fine crumbs.

Sprinkle the wafer crumbs over the top of the chilled pudding.

Serve cold and enjoy the creamy, nostalgic dessert.

Banana Pudding Tips With Old-Fashioned Flair

• Whisk continuously while cooking to ensure a smooth, creamy texture without any flour clumps.
• Use ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and depth of flavor, avoiding green or overly brown fruits.
• Slowly add hot mixture to eggs while whisking to prevent scrambling and create a silky custard base.
• Arrange wafers and bananas evenly for a consistent taste and beautiful presentation in each bite.
• Refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to meld and pudding to set perfectly, enhancing overall taste and texture.

Banana Pudding Kept Creamy Between Servings

• Store the banana pudding in an airtight container, covering it tightly with plastic wrap or a lid to prevent moisture loss and absorbing other food odors.
• Keep the pudding in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring maximum flavor and texture quality.
• Avoid microwaving as this will change the pudding's creamy consistency. Instead, enjoy the dessert chilled straight from the refrigerator.
• For longer storage, freeze the pudding for up to 2 weeks. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving, though the texture might slightly change.

Sweet Bites With Banana Pudding

• Pair with Sweet Sippers: Chill a classic cream sherry or moscato wine alongside this creamy dessert to complement its rich vanilla and banana notes.
• Create Coffee Companions: Brew a smooth, medium-roast coffee or a decadent caramel latte to balance the pudding's sweetness and enhance its warm flavors.
• Match with Milk-Based Delights: Serve cold whole milk or a vanilla milkshake to amplify the pudding's creamy texture and nostalgic homestyle essence.
• Garnish with Texture Enhancers: Top with toasted coconut flakes or chopped pecans to add a delightful crunch that contrasts the pudding's silky smoothness.

Old-Fashioned Homemade Banana Pudding Spins

• Dairy-Free Dream: Replace milk with coconut milk or almond milk for a creamy, lactose-free version. Use dairy-free vanilla wafers to complete the dessert.
• Gluten-Free Goodness: Swap regular flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend. Choose certified gluten-free vanilla wafers to maintain the classic texture.
• Vegan Vanilla Bliss: Substitute eggs with silken tofu or cornstarch slurry. Use plant-based milk and vegan vanilla wafers for a completely animal-product-free treat.
• Chocolate Lover's Remix: Add cocoa powder to the pudding mixture for a rich chocolate flavor. Layer with chocolate wafers instead of vanilla for an indulgent variation.

FAQs

• What makes the pudding creamy and smooth?

The combination of milk, eggs, flour, and careful cooking technique creates a smooth, thick custard base that gives the pudding its signature creamy texture.

• Can I use different types of cookies instead of vanilla wafers?

Yes, graham crackers or shortbread cookies work as great substitutes if you don’t have vanilla wafers available.

• How do I prevent lumps in the pudding mixture?

Continuously whisk the mixture while cooking and gradually temper the eggs by adding hot liquid slowly, which helps create a smooth, lump-free pudding.

• Is it important to layer the ingredients in a specific order?

Yes, layering wafers, bananas, and pudding creates distinct textures and ensures each bite has a balanced mix of flavors and components.

Old-Fashioned Homemade Banana Pudding Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sweet Southern comfort emerges in this classic banana pudding, layering creamy custard, ripe bananas, and vanilla wafers into a nostalgic dessert. Rich vanilla notes and silky textures invite memories of grandma’s kitchen, beckoning you to savor each spoonful of pure homestyle delight.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 eggs
• 4 bananas, sliced
• 3 cups milk
• 1 box vanilla wafers (about 8 ounces)

Dry Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Flavor Enhancer:

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Combine sugar, flour, and salt in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, creating a dry mixture foundation for the pudding base.
2. Gradually pour milk into the dry ingredients, whisking continuously to prevent lumps and ensure smooth incorporation.
3. Maintain medium heat, stirring consistently until the mixture transforms into a thick, glossy consistency with gentle bubbling.
4. Lower the temperature and simmer for two minutes to develop deeper flavor complexity.
5. Prepare eggs in a separate bowl, carefully tempering them by slowly introducing small amounts of hot pudding mixture while whisking vigorously to prevent curdling.
6. Reintegrate the tempered egg mixture into the main pudding, returning to heat and allowing a gentle boil to develop for approximately two minutes.
7. Remove from heat and infuse vanilla extract, stirring to distribute the aromatic essence throughout the pudding.
8. Allow the pudding to cool for fifteen minutes, periodically stirring to prevent skin formation.
9. Create the first layer in an 8-inch square pan by arranging vanilla wafers across the bottom, followed by a generous spread of banana slices.
10. Delicately pour half the pudding mixture, ensuring even coverage of the initial layer.
11. Construct a second identical layer, concluding with the remaining pudding as the top stratum.
12. Seal the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of four hours, allowing flavors to meld and pudding to set completely.
13. Prior to serving, crumble remaining wafers and sprinkle as a crisp, textural garnish.
14. Serve chilled for optimal flavor and creamy consistency.

Notes

• Select ripe, spotty bananas for deeper, sweeter flavor and more intense banana taste that elevates the entire dessert.
• Temper eggs carefully by slowly adding hot mixture to prevent scrambling, which ensures smooth, silky pudding texture.
• Use a whisk consistently to prevent lumps and create creamy, velvety pudding consistency that melts in your mouth.
• For gluten-free version, substitute vanilla wafers with gluten-free cookies or crushed almond flour-based crackers to maintain crunchy layer.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 19 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg